Winter movie lineup ‘promising’ for December, falls off in new year

As 2014 comes to a close, it’s time once again to preview the movies to be released in the coming months. We have a promising December to look forward to but a mediocre January and February afterward. There’s enough here to get you to the spring, but picking and choosing which movies to invest your time in is important. On that note, here is your 2014 winter movie preview.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years, you know the story of Katniss Everdeen and her struggle against the Capitol. She’s survived not one, but two versions of the Hunger Games. Now she’s taking refuge in District 13, a section of Panem previously thought destroyed. As the nation rallies behind her, she must embrace her role as a symbol of the rebellion and save Peeta from the murderous President Snow. Tickets for this movie have been on sale since the beginning of the month. This one’s going to launch the holiday season in style.

After three “Madagascar” installments, the penguins are getting their own movie. Often the funniest characters from those movies, it’ll be interesting to see if these characters can carry a movie that lasts just over 90 minutes. The trailer definitely proves it’s perfect for the kids, but there’s not much to sink your teeth into if you’re the parents. Having said all that, maybe it’ll surprise a few folks.

Nick, Dale and Kurt, our “heroes” from the first “Horrible Bosses” film, are once again tired of their current lots in life, so they launch their own business with the help of an investor (Waltz). Of course, when he pulls the rug out from under them, they kidnap his son for ransom in what they believe is their only way of regaining control of their company. The combined comedic efforts of Sudekis, Day and Bateman should be enough to sell you here.

Director Ridley Scott is bringing the story of Moses and his epic struggle against the tyrannical pharaoh Ramses. While one man seeks to free his people, the other will seek to oppress them. The special effects are going to be something to behold in this one, particularly once the plagues start taking their toll. The only knock on this movie so far is that Christian Bale looks goofy in that helmet, but all the names attached to this movie should bring in a solid crowd.

Chris Rock wrote and directed this feature about Andre Allen, an actor who got his start as a comedian, and a chance encounter with a journalist. The relationship will force him to question who he is and where he came from. With a cast that includes Tracy Morgan, Rosario Dawson and Kevin Hart, and Chris Rock at the helm of this movie, it should do well.

We have finally arrived at the meat of the holiday movie season, which starts with the final installment of “The Hobbit” trilogy. Peter Jackson has managed to stretch one book into three movies while keeping the whole thing fun and entertaining. You know Jackson is going to kill it with the visuals, and it’ll be fun to see how he executes the final chapter in Bilbo’s story, but the most exciting thing about this movie is that it’s going to end with a 45-minute battle scene. Seriously. That’s just brilliant.

The marketing campaign for this movie has been so intense over the last six months that there’s virtually no chance you didn’t know about this movie. While there’s something to be said for pushing a movie that far in advance, there’s also the risk of advertising fatigue that will drive moviegoers to see something else. But for those who have not been deterred yet, this one is based on the Broadway musical “Annie.” It’s the story of an orphan who finds her way into a rich politician’s home and, ultimately, his heart.

Ben Stiller reprises his role as a museum security guard in charge of keeping the magical secrets of the Smithsonian. The magic that has brought the museum exhibits to life is running out, and Stiller must journey to England to figure out a way to save it. The overall tone of these movies has been fun, and this one appears to be in keeping with that school of thought. And as one of the last works in the career and life of Robin Williams, that’s a fitting tone to have.

American Sniper

Release date | Dec. 25 (limited; wide: Jan. 16)

Director | Clint Eastwood

Starring | Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller

Rated | R (for strong and disturbing war violence, and language throughout, including some sexual references)

Clint Eastwood directs the story of Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in the history of the United States. Surviving four tours in Iraq while earning a reputation amongst allies and enemies alike, Kyle struggles with life as a soldier, husband and a “legend.” But even the safety of the United States yields a different kind of war. Clint Eastwood knows how to handle serious material, and he should have no trouble here, especially with Cooper as his leading man.

The Interview

Release date | Dec. 25

Director | Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg

Starring | James Franco, Seth Rogen, Lizzy Caplan, Randall Park

Rated | Not available

Seth Rogen and James Franco star as the host and producer of a tabloid talk show that has unbelievable popularity. In fact, the show is so popular that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is a fan. When the duo unexpectedly lands an interview with Un, the CIA politely asks that they “take him out.” The entire premise is laughable and implausible, but that’s not the point. Rogen and Franco have a proven on-screen chemistry that will make this movie an unexpected Christmas Day hit.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if Disney took the stories of Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack and the Beanstalk, and put them all in a melting pot? Well you’ll get the opportunity to see what that looks like this Christmas. This movie is loaded with talent. That typically means either a huge box office smash or a total flop. It’s an original take on a bunch of classics.

Rated | PG-13 (for war violence, including intense sequences of brutality, and for brief language)

“Unbroken” is the story of an Olympian and a war hero named Louis Zamperini, who survived 47 days adrift at sea after a near fatal plane crash during World War II. If that isn’t enough, he and his fellow soldiers are “rescued” by Japanese soldiers and placed in a POW camp. Zamperini becomes an inspiration to his comrades and a thorn in the side of a viciously cruel Japanese officer known as “The Bird.” His story of triumph and tragedy is one that has the look of a box-office hit.

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death

Release date | Jan. 2

Director | Tom Harper

Starring | Phoebe Fox, Jeremy Irvine, Helen McCrory

Rated | PG-13 (for some disturbing and frightening images, and for thematic elements)

In Hollywood, there are two kinds of movies: those that deserve sequels and those that do not. “The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death” falls squarely into the latter category. The first movie was mildly tolerable at best, and that movie had Daniel Radcliffe. This one does not. It takes place 40 years after the events of the first movie. That’s the appeal. Watching this movie is not how you should begin the new year.

A couple of things of note are in play here. First off, Liam Neeson’s Bryan Mills character is no longer trying to retrieve a family member that has been “taken.” No, this time he’s on a revenge tour, seeking and eliminating anyone who had anything to do with his ex-wife’s murder. Supposedly, he’s doing this to protect the only thing he has left, which is his daughter, but it feels more like this is just an excuse to let Liam Neeson beat up more dudes. Wait, that actually sounds pretty good.

Blackhat

Release date | Jan. 16

Director | Michael Mann

Starring | Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Tang Wei, Wang Leehom

Rated | R (for violence and some language)

“Blackhat” is a movie about a furloughed criminal who puts together a team of technologically gifted individuals as they play an international game of cat and mouse with a cybercrime organization that spans the globe. There’s not much else to go on at this point, but the unusual pairing of Hemsworth and Davis has enough appeal to draw a nice crowd.

Paddington Bear is coming to the big screen for the very first time, traveling to a big city in search of a place to call home. He’s overwhelmed by life in the city, until he meets the Brown family. They take him in and give him a home, but they must fend off a taxidermist who wants to add Paddington to his collection. This one feels like it’s going to end up similar to “Adventures of Tin Tin.” It’s good for the kids and not much else.

Doug Harris is a socially awkward groom who finds himself in need of a best man. He’s pointed in the direction of Jimmy Callahan (Hart), a best-man-for-hire who will take on any client if the price is right. The problem with pretending to be a best man is that he knows nothing at all about Doug, but as the two get themselves in and out of numerous hilarious situations, they come to develop a friendship neither expected. This movie is reminiscent of “Hitch,” and it’s questionable whether or not Kevin Hart can do in this film what Will Smith did in his movie. But you could do worse here.

Jennifer Lopez stars in this psychological thriller about a divorced woman and the affair she has with a young man that moves in across the street. Seemingly harmless flirtation quickly gives way to darker and more sinister motives, and soon, Lopez must fight for her safety and her life. Stay away from this one. It’s going to be bad.

It’s hard to get a read on this Depp vehicle. Simply put, the trailer is not good. Depp has charisma, but his movie choices of late have been questionable. As Mortdecai, he’s in a race against several parties to retrieve a priceless painting that may contain the key to a hidden stash of Nazi gold while dealing with Russians, British intelligence and, of course, his wife. Read that last sentence and tell yourself you still want to see this. If you do, best of luck.

The release of “Jupiter Ascending” was pushed all the way from July to February. That is not a good sign for any movie. Channing Tatum has elf ears in a movie that has nothing to do with elves. That’s just silly. Mila Kunis plays a character targeted for assassination by another character called the “Queen of the Universe.” We’re going to stop here. You don’t want to see this.

Jeff Bridges plays a mystical warrior on a quest to find the Seventh Son, a man from a prophecy that will come into unbelievable powers and save the world from a ruthless queen and her army of supernatural assassins. Will the young man embrace the prophecy and save the world, or will he falter? This movie was pushed two full years from its original release date of February 2013, so there’s even less confidence in this movie than “Jupiter Ascending.” Hopefully, something else piques your interest.

SpongeBob Squarepants and his friends are leaving the 2D world behind and entering our world to recover the Krabby Patty formula from a villainous pirate. Considering the opening weekend competition for this movie, it’s easily going to win the weekend. It’ll be one of the top draws of the first quarter of 2015, too.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” is a literary global phenomenon that is poised to crush the early 2015 box office with the romance between 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey and aspiring journalist Anastasia Steele. This film will explore the earliest moments of their relationship as Grey reveals the deepest and darkest secrets of his life to Steele. Considering the unbridled popularity of the trilogy, there’s little reason to doubt the impending success of this movie.

When a new coach (Costner) takes charge of a cross-country team at a predominantly Latino school, not much is expected of him. But when he discovers that his unlikely band of young athletes are naturally gifted runners, he and the team push for a championship and the enduring legacy that comes with victory. Along the way, they’ll form bonds of friendship every bit as enduring as the legend they leave behind. This one has sap written all over it, but Costner is one of those leading men you just have to trust.

Focus

Release date | Feb. 27

Director | Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

Starring | Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Rodrigo Santoro, Gerald McRaney

Rated | R (for language, some sexual content and brief violence)

Will Smith stars as professional con man who falls for his protege, played by Margot Robbie. When he sees himself losing control of the situation, he ends the relationship out of nowhere. Fast forward three years, and the two con artists are running different games at the same high-stakes racing event. With his plans thrown out of whack, he’ll have to adjust on the fly and reach deep into his bag of tricks to figure out a way to outsmart the very woman he trained. Robbie is on fire lately. This is a good movie to round off the winter months.

There you have it. As is often the case, the year ends with a host of excellent features to enjoy but a largely disappointing slate of films to start the new year. Make your choices carefully. While these brief paragraphs are meant to give you a general idea of what’s promising and what’s not, it is ultimately you who knows what you like. Stick with what you know, but don’t be afraid to branch out a little, too. That’s part of what makes movies so much fun.